U.S. patent number 4,057,177 [Application Number 05/760,384] was granted by the patent office on 1977-11-08 for valved squeeze bottle for viscous products.
Invention is credited to Robert H. Laauwe.
United States Patent |
4,057,177 |
Laauwe |
November 8, 1977 |
Valved squeeze bottle for viscous products
Abstract
A valved squeeze bottle for viscous products has a valve
comprising two plastic parts cooperatively forming a chamber into
which the viscous product can be squeezed by squeezing the squeeze
bottle, to elastically separate the parts which together form a
sleeve valve opened by the separation of the parts and which
recloses when the bottle squeeze pressure is released so the parts
return, one of the parts forming a check valve permitting entrance
of air into the bottle. The squeeze bottle and the valve parts are
made of elastically deformable plastic which after being deformed,
springs back to its original shape.
Inventors: |
Laauwe; Robert H. (Franklin
Lakes, NJ) |
Family
ID: |
25058949 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/760,384 |
Filed: |
January 18, 1977 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/215;
137/493.1; 137/859; 222/481.5; 222/493 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
47/28 (20130101); B05B 11/0072 (20130101); B05B
11/04 (20130101); B05B 11/047 (20130101); B65D
47/2081 (20130101); Y10T 137/7772 (20150401); Y10T
137/7895 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
11/04 (20060101); B65D 47/28 (20060101); B65D
47/04 (20060101); B65D 47/20 (20060101); B05B
11/00 (20060101); B65D 025/52 (); F16K
017/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/491,492,493,494,495,496,497,479,481,481.5,215
;137/493,493.1,853,859 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Assistant Examiner: Lane; Hadd
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kenyon & Kenyon, Reilly, Carr
& Chapin
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A squeeze bottle for containing and dispensing a viscous product
and which is made of elastically deformable material so that after
the bottle is squeezed and released from squeezing pressure, the
bottle inherently springs back to its original unsqueezed shape,
said bottle having a mouth provided with a dispensing valve
comprising superimposed inner and outer parts normally closing said
mouth, said inner part having at least one first product flow
passage extending from its inside to its outside and a projection
extending outwardly from its outside and the projection having a
side in which at least one second product flow passage is formed,
said second passage communicating with the outside of said valve
and said outer part having a flexible diaphragm surrounding said
projection and having a tubular neck slidably fitting the
projection and normally covering and closing said second passage
when the diaphragm is unflexed but uncovering and opening the
second passage by sliding axially on the projection when the
diaphragm is flexed outwardly, said parts forming a space between
the outside of said inner part and the inside of said diaphragm
into which when said bottle is squeezed a viscous product in the
bottle can be squeezed via said first passage to apply pressure
between the outside of the inner part and the inside of the
diaphragm to cause the latter to flex outwardly and slide said
tubular neck on said projection so as to uncover and open said
second passage, said diaphragm being made of elastically deformable
material and so that it inherently springs back to its original
unflexed condition with said tubular neck covering and closing said
second passage when the product in said space and bottle is
released from squeeze pressure, one of said parts having an
inwardly opening check valve for venting said bottle so that after
release of squeeze pressure on the bottle air can replace product
squeezed from the bottle and permit the latter to spring back to
its unsqueezed shape and said diaphragm to spring back to its
unflexed condition.
2. The bottle of claim 1 in which said inner and outer parts are
each formed by an integral plastic molding and the parts are
interconnected, at least said outer part being made of elastically
flexible plastic.
3. The bottle of claim 2 in which said projection has an axially
extending passage and forms a product dispensing nozzle, said
second product flow passage being formed by said axially extending
passage via at least one transverse hole opening thereto through
said projection adjacent to said first part's outside, and the
diaphragm's said tubular neck is shorter than said projection and
covers and uncovers said hole when slid on the projection by the
action of said diaphragm.
4. The bottle of claim 2 in which said projection forms said second
product flow passage via at least one longitudinally extending
groove in its outer side surface, and the diaphragm's said tubular
neck forms a product dispensing nozzle, at least an inner end of
said groove being covered and uncovered by at least an inner
portion of the said neck when the latter is slid on the projection
by the action of said diaphragm.
5. The bottle of claim 2 in which at least one of said parts forms
an axially extending annular wall by which said diaphragm is spaced
from the outside of said inner part to thereby define the aforesaid
space.
6. The bottle of claim 5 in which said wall is formed by said outer
part and said inner part has an axially outwardly extending flange
in which said wall is fitted, product squeezed into said space
applying outwardly radially directed pressure to said wall pressing
the wall radially against said flange.
7. The bottle of claim 5 in which an annular rib and groove
interconnection is formed by said wall and flange.
8. The bottle of claim 6 in which said projection has a conical
outer end and said extended tubular neck has a conical portion
which fits on said outer end when said diaphragm is in unflexed
condition.
9. The bottle of claim 2 in which said tubular neck has an outside
exposed to said space and receiving said pressure applied by said
viscous product.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Squeeze bottles are used to package and dispense various kinds of
products. Such a bottle is made of elastically deformable plastic,
and when manually squeezed to dispense its contents, resiliently
springs back to its original shape upon release of the squeeze
pressure. This permits the bottle to be made with a predetermined
shape which except while the bottle is squeezed, is retained
throughout the useful life of the bottle. The bottle shape is used
to identify the source of the bottled product and to appeal to the
aesthetic sense of the user.
When such a squeeze bottle is used to package and dispense viscous
products, exemplified by viscous hair shampoos and detergents,
mustard, ketchup, etc., its mouth has been provided with a manually
operated valve arrangement because the more convenient dispensing
valves of prior art construction cannot handle viscous products. A
dispensing valve opens and closes automatically dependent on the
pressure of a liquid product controlled by the valve.
For the merchandizing of viscous products packaged in squeeze
bottles, millions of the bottles may be involved. Manufacturing
cost per bottle is important. If the bottle is to be provided with
a dispensing valve, the valve must not only be effective so it
recloses adequately tightly after the bottle is squeezed, but it
also must be made of as few parts as possible with the parts
capable of production at low cost and involving the least possible
assembly cost. Preferably like the bottle itself, the parts should
be capable of being made of plastic. The valve must provide for
venting the bottle so that after the bottle is released from
squeeze pressure it can spring back with reasonable promptness to
its original shape through its elastic recovery properties, by
permitting the bottle to suck in air to replace the product
squeezed from the bottle.
One example of a possible squeeze bottle valve is provided by the
Mancusi Jr. Pat. No. 3,206,079, Sept. 14, 1965. As stated by this
patent, the construction it discloses represents a determined
effort to provide a simplified dispensing valve which vents after
product-dispensing is released. However, this patented valve
construction involves the use of three parts which must be
separately manufactured, the bottle mouth itself forming a
necessary fourth part, and the valve action is effected by flexing
a spring disk or diaphragm having inner and outer peripheries which
seat on annular valve seats. To handle viscous products, the
product would have to be squeezed from between the disk and seal by
the spring-back of the disk to effect a closure, and the spring
disk cannot provide any large force for this purpose.
Although unfitted for use with a squeeze bottle which must spring
back to its original shape repeatedly, the Nilson Pat. No.
3,981,419, Sept. 21, 1976, does disclose a simple valve made of two
plastic parts, an outer part being elastically deformable outwardly
when receiving the force of a pressurized product, this outer part
unsealing a valve head formed by an inner part. However, in this
case also, an annular valve seat is involved, and if this patented
construction is to be used to handle a viscous product, closing
action is uncertain because of the need for the valve to squeeze
the product from between annular surfaces when the valve-opening
product pressure is released. No container venting action is
provided.
Insofar as is known, the prior art has not provided a squeeze
bottle having a dispensing valve capable of handling viscous
products, which is of simple construction permitting low-cost
manufacture and assembly in large quantities, which automatically
opens and closes when the squeeze bottle is squeezed and released,
and which when closed, positively seals the squeeze bottle contents
against loss when the bottle having the valve is tilted or inverted
either during shipment or use, and having a construction permitting
the incorporation of a check valve for venting the bottle and which
can be made as an integral part of the valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, the squeeze bottle is of the
type that springs back to its original shape when squeezed and
released from squeeze pressure. It may be made of any of the
elastically deformable plastics commonly used for the manufacture
of such a squeeze bottle. The contour and shape of the bottle may
be as desired to identify the source of the product bottled or
possibly solely to provide an aesthetic appearance. The bottle can
have the usual neck with a mouth through which the bottle may be
filled with the viscous product and from which the product is
dispensed.
This bottle has its mouth closed by a dispensing valve entirely
capable of operating successfully when the bottle contains a
viscous product which, as previously indicated, can be exemplified
by hair shampoo, viscous detergents, ketchup, mustard, and many
other products which are normally considered to be too viscous to
be handled successfully by dispensing valves of the prior art when
capable of being mass produced in large quantities at low cost.
In the case of the present invention, the bottle's mouth is closed
by a dispensing valve comprising superimposed inner and outer
parts. Only these two parts are required and they may be made of
any of the usual elastically flexible plastics as exemplified by
high density polyethylene.
The inner part closes the bottle mouth excepting that it has one
and preferably a number of flow passages extending from its inside
to its outside so that when the bottle containing a viscous product
is squeezed, the product can be squeezed through the inner part to
its outside. In addition, the inner part has a projection extending
outwardly from its outside and having a side in which at least one
and preferably more flow passages are formed. If the projection is
tubular, the flow passages may be holes formed adjacent to the
outside of the inner part and extending transversely into the
inside of the tubular projection for flow internally through the
projection with the latter then forming a dispensing nozzle. If the
projection is in the form of a solid post, the passages may have
longitudinally extending grooves formed in the outside of the
projection.
In either case the outer part has an elastically flexible diaphragm
surrounding the above projection with the diaphragm forming a
tubular neck or sleeve slidably fitting the projection and covering
and closing either the abovementioned holes or the grooves when the
diaphragm is unflexed or unstrained but uncovering and opening the
same by sliding axially on the projection when the diaphragm is
elastically flexed outwardly. Preferably the projection and the
sliding neck or sleeve have cylindrical contours.
Like a so-called Belleville spring washer, the diaphragm is
contoured either conically or convexly so that it acts in its axial
direction as a spring with its tubular neck or sleeve covering the
flow passages or passages formed in the side of the projection of
the first part. If the projection is solid with the grooves in its
side, the tubular neck may be extended over and beyond the
projection so that the neck forms a dispensing nozzle.
By using only the two parts, a sleeve valve action is provided
which is easily capable of handling viscous products of the type
previously described. When the diaphragm is flexed outwardly, its
tubular neck or sleeve slides on the projection so that a viscous
product can be squeezed through the valve. When the squeeze
pressure is released from the viscous product, and when only the
elastic recovery or springback force of the flexible diaphragm is
available for closing the valve, the neck slides back on the
projection with a sleeve valve action shaving off the viscous
material ahead of the neck as the latter easily returns to its
closing position. Little force is needed to provide for complete
closing of the valve, and when closed, the sleeve valve parts
provide for substantially complete sealing or closing action.
The two parts form a space between the outside of the inner part
and the inside of the diaphragm into which, when the bottle is
squeezed, the viscous product in the bottle is squeezed via the
passages in the inner part to apply pressure between the outside of
the inner part and the inside of the diaphragm. The pressure of the
viscous product squeezed into this space is exerted in all
directions, including against the inside of the diaphragm, this
causing the latter to flex outwardly and slide the tubular neck on
the projection for the valve opening operation. The diaphragm being
made of elastically deformable plastic, is made with a thickness
permitting its flexure outwardly and so that acting like a
Belleville spring, it inherently springs back to its original
unflexed condition with its tubular neck covering and closing the
passages formed in the projection, when the product in the valve
space and bottle is released from squeeze pressure.
For venting the bottle, one of the two parts of the valve forms an
inwardly opening check valve so that after release of the squeeze
pressure, air can replace product squeezed from the bottle and
permit the latter to spring back to its unsqueezed shape and the
diaphragm to spring back to its unflexed condition closing the
valve.
Both the inner and outer parts can be made of elastically flexible
plastic capable of being injection molded into the two parts
separately. Furthermore, the part provided with the check valve can
be injection-molded to integrally provide the check valve with
elastically displaceable parts providing the check valve operation
permitting air to enter the bottle when necessary while closing
when the bottle is squeezed so that pressure is exerted on the
viscous product in the bottle.
When the viscous product is squeezed through the passages in the
inner part into the space formed between the two parts, the
pressure in this space is substantially equal and opposite in all
directions, and the pressures on the inner part's inside and
outside are not greatly different because the product being
squeezed from the bottle exerts pressure on the inside of the inner
part providing a substantial reaction to the force exerted by the
product, under pressure in the space, on the outside of the inner
part. The differential pressure on the inner part when the product
is under squeeze pressure depends on the total cross-sectional area
of the flow passages formed through the inner part, and the
cross-sectional area of the dispensing flow passage or passages
through which the product leaves the space between the two
parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Specific examples of two forms of the invention briefly described
above, are illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first form of the new squeeze
bottle as it is manually squeezed to dispense a content of viscous
product through the bottle's dispensing valve;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the valve's inner and outer
parts and the bottle neck, partly in perspective and partly in
longitudinal section;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section showing the parts assembled and
the valve in its closed position;
FIG. 4 is a cross section taken on the line IV--IV in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is like FIG. 3 but shows the valve in its open position;
FIG. 6 is like FIG. 3 but shows the valve closed and venting with
air entering the bottle to permit the bottle to spring back to its
original contour;
FIG. 7 shows a second form of the invention, this being a
perspective view;
FIG. 8 is like FIG. 2 but shows the second form;
FIG. 9 in longitudinal section shows this second form as the valve
appears in its open position;
FIG. 10 shows this second form in longitudinal section and as the
parts appear when the valve is closed, this view indicating the
venting action which occurs as the bottle springs back to its
original shape;
FIG. 11 is a cross section taken on the line XI--XI in FIG. 10;
and
FIG. 12 is a cross section taken on the line XII--XII in FIG.
10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the above drawings FIG. 1 shows the new squeeze bottle in a
first form, the construction of which is illustrated in detail by
FIGS. 2 through 6.
In FIG. 1 the bottle 1 is being squeezed with the viscous product 2
discharging through the bottle's dispensing valve 3, the user's
fingers squeezing the bottle so that it is inwardly distorted or
deformed at 4. The bottle is made of elastically deformable plastic
so that as soon as the finger pressure is removed, the deformed
portion 4 springs back with the bottle then regaining its original
shape. Because the valve 3 is a dispensing valve, it promptly
closes when the squeeze pressure is terminated. Therefore, the
bottle can be in any position during shipment and need not be
stored upright by the user.
In FIG. 2 the mouth of the squeeze bottle is shown at 5. The
valve's inner part A is an integral injection molding of suitable
plastic which is preferably elastically deformable, such as
high-density polyethylene. This molding is in the form of an
annular disk 6 through which an annular series of holes 7 is formed
so that these holes form product flow passages extending from this
part's inside 8 to its outside 9. The previously referred to
projection is in the form of a tube 10 that extends at right angles
outwardly from the outside 9 sufficiently far to function as a
dispensing nozzle. An annular series of holes 11 is formed
transversely through the wall of this tubular projection 10 at a
location adjacent to the outside 9 of the disk 6. Peripherally the
disk 6 has an axially outwardly extending flange 12 and an annular
radially projecting rib 13.
The holes 7 form a first set of product flow passages and the holes
11 form a second set of product flow passages.
The valve's outer part B is also an integral injection molding and
in this case it must be made of elastically deformable or flexible
plastic, high density polyethylene again providing a suitable
example.
It is this outer part B that forms the flexible diaphragm referred
to, shown here at 14, shaped to surround the projection 10 and
having the previously referred to tubular neck 15 which is shown
here as extending inwardly from the diaphragm 14, and which
slidably fits the projection 10. This diaphragm 14 is elastically
flexible, being shown in its relaxed or unstrained condition in
FIG. 2, and is designed to act in the manner of a so-called
Belleville spring washer. This part B has an inwardly extending
annular skirt 16 extending from an annular radial flange 17 with an
inner periphery which extends radially inwardly in the form of the
spring diaphragm 14, the skirt 16 having an inner annular groove 18
which snaps over the rib 13 of the part A when the two parts are
assembled.
As a relief valve, a small hole 19 is formed through the spring
diaphragm 14 which is at that location slit to form a small flap 20
which normally closes the hole 19 against outward fluid flow while
permitting air to flow through the hole 19 inwardly by the flap
flexing inwardly.
In FIG. 3 these two molded parts A and B are shown assembled
together and in the mouth 5 of the squeeze bottle. The assembly
operation consists simply of pushing the skirt 16 over the
periphery of the part A with the rib 13 and groove 18 snapping
together, the valve then being frictionally pushed into the bottle
mouth 5 so that the entire assembly of the bottle is completed.
This assembly would ordinarily be done after the bottle is filled
with the viscous product to be dispensed. If a press fit is
considered inadequate, the skirt 16 can be adhesively secured in
the bottle mouth or the outside of the skirt and the inside of the
mouth may be provided with a rib and groove interlock of the type
represented by the rib 13 and groove 18.
Now it can be seen that from FIG. 3 that when assembled, the two
parts form a space 21 between the outside 9 of the inner part A and
its flange 12, and the inside 22 of the diaphragm of the outer part
B. When the bottle is squeezed, a viscous product in the bottle
squeezes through the first passages 7 into the space 21, fills the
space 21 and then applies pressure between the outside 9 of the
inner part and the inside of the diaphragm to force the latter to
flex outwardly and slide its sleeve 15 on the projection 10
outwardly so as to uncover and open the second passages 11, the
product then flowing through the tubular projection 10 which
functions as a dispensing nozzle, all as is illustrated by FIG. 5.
During this action, the flap valve 20 is pressed closed against the
hole 19 as can be seen from this FIG. 5.
During this dispensing action effected by squeezing the bottle as
shown by FIG. 1, the fluid pressure in the space 21 is exerted in
all directions against the insides of the surfaces forming this
space 21. This means that the tubular neck 15 is pressed radially
against the outside of the tubular projection 10, so that while the
viscous product is under pressure in the space 21 and squeezing
through the inside of the projection 10 there is little chance for
leakage of the product via the now open sleeve valve formed by the
parts 15 and 10. At the same time, the axially extending flange 12
of the inner part is pressed outwardly to press the skirt 16 of the
outer part against the inside of the bottle mouth. All of this
occurs during the squeezing action while the viscous product is
necessarily under pressure in the space 21.
However, when the squeezing pressure is released on the squeeze
bottle 1 and the latter attempts to spring back to shape, the
pressure in the valve's space 21 drops to and ordinarily below
atmospheric pressure, thus causing the venting valve formed at 19
and 20 to open and permit air to flow into the space 21 so that the
product in this space can be sucked along with the air back into
the bottle and allow the latter to spring back to its original
shape. At the same time the inward radial pressure previously
applied by the viscous product under pressure in the space 21, is,
of course, released from the surface 23 of the tubular neck 15 so
that the latter can more easily be slid back over the holes or
second passages 11, by the elastic recovery or spring-back action
of the spring diaphragm 14. As the sleeve 15 slides back to its
closed position, it can easily shave off or push aside viscous
product on the projection 10 so that the valve closes positively.
These factors substantially reduce the need for the spring
diaphragm to exert a large spring-back force.
When the valve is closed, it need only be secure enough to prevent
the viscous product from escaping under the gravity force on the
product, the latter being then free from the squeeze pressure.
Being a sleeve valve, this valve effectively seals the viscous
product in the bottle even when the latter is shaken. The valve can
open only by squeezing the bottle.
The form of this invention, illustrated in detail by FIGS. 7
through 12, represents what is at present considered to be the best
mode of carrying out the present invention.
In this second form the inner part A', again an integral plastic
injection molding of suitable plastic such as the one previously
mentioned, comprises a flat disk 24 having an axially inwardly
extending annular skirt 25 which fits directly within the bottle
mouth 5 where the skirt can be secured as discussed in connection
with the skirt 16 of the first form. An axially outwardly extending
flange 26 extends from the outside of the disk 24, this flange 26
being of substantially smaller diameter than the skirt 25 and
internally having an annular groove 27. As in the case of the first
example, a projection 28 extends centrally from the disk 24, in
this case the projection extending outwardly in the form of a solid
post in the side of which an annular series of axially or
longitudinally extending grooves 29 are formed, starting from a
position spaced outwardly from the disk 24 and extending to the
outer end of the projection. These grooves form the second product
flow passages, the first product flow passage between the inside
and outside of the disk 24 being formed by a passage 30 which opens
adjacent to the outside of the disk 24 and which, as shown by FIGS.
9 and 12, for example, opens centrally from the inside of the disk
24 in an axial direction and then turns right angularly to open
from the side of the projection 28 at a position between the inner
ends of the grooves 29 and the outside of the disk 24. This first
passage is shown as having only one opening in the side of the
projection 28 but possibly it could open transversely at one or
more other positions which are circumferentially interspaced.
In this second and presently preferred form the pressure relief
valve is formed through the disk 24 between the flange 26 and the
inside of the skirt 25 and, as shown by FIGS. 9 and 10, for
example, it can be integrally molded with the balance of the inner
part A', in the form of a so-called duck-bill type of valve. In
other words, the disk 24 is formed at the described location with a
hole 31 with the plastic extending in the form of a small
relatively thin-walled inwardly projecting part or parts 32
together forming a general tubular configuration and which may be
longitudinally slit from its inner end so that when receiving
outward pressure from the viscous product, it collapses and closes,
but elastically springs open to permit the necessary reverse flow
of air required for venting the bottle. In this case the venting is
directly to the inside of the bottle. This type of valve gets its
name from the fact that in operation it simulates the opening and
closing of a duck's bill. These vent valve parts or part can be
formed during the injection molding of the inner part.
The outer part B' is formed with its elastically deformable
diaphragm or Belleville spring type part 33 integrally provided
with an axially inwardly extending skirt 34, extending from the
outer periphery of the element 33, which inwardly terminates with
an outwardly extending radial rib 35. This skirt 34 fits within the
flange 26 so that the rib 35 snaps within he annular groove 27 of
the flange 26. From the inner periphery of the diaphragm portion 33
the necessary tubular neck or sleeve 36 extends axially outwardly
so as to slidably cover the projection 28 at a location starting
just below or inside of the grooves 29, as shown by FIG. 10, when
the diaphragm 33 is unstrained or relaxed. In this case the sleeve
36 is long enough to completely cover the projection 28 and extend
beyond its tapered outer end with a corresponding tapered portion
36a, terminating outwardly therebeyond in the form of a dispensing
nozzle 36b. This nozzle portion 36b can be eliminated if it is
found to entrap too much of the product.
With this preferred form of the invention, when the squeeze bottle
is squeezed, the product squeezes through the first passage or
passages 30 into the space 37 formed by the parts between the
outside of the disk 24 of the inner part and the inside of the
diaphragm portion 33 of the outer part and its skirts 34. As
pressure develops in this space 37, the spring diaphragm or
Belleville washer type section 33 elastically springs outwardly
with the sleeve 36 sliding outwardly so as to uncover the inner
ends of the grooves 29 of the inner part A', the viscous product
then flowing through the grooves 29 forming the second passages and
on out through the dispensing nozzle formed at 36b.
When the squeeze bottle pressure is released, the sleeve valve
closes as shown by FIG. 10, the venting valve opening to admit air
to the bottle. The tapered portion 36a of the outer part can be
made to fit the outer tapered end 28a of the projection 28 of the
inner part to avoid the small amount of dribbling that might be
potentially possible due to viscous product remaining in the
portions of the grooves 29 outwardly beyond their inner ends closed
by the valve action, as shown by FIG. 10.
The parts of the relief valve, which can be called the duck bill
32, are formed to normally close the venting hole 31 so that
gravitational loss of the viscous product when the bottle is tilted
or inverted, is prevented. A normal squeeze bottle, when
elastically recovering its shape, can draw an adequate suction to
force the duck bill parts 32 to open slightly for venting and to
thereafter promptly close when the bottle has fully retained its
original shape.
It can be seen that in both forms of this invention only two
integrally injection molded plastic parts are necessarily involved,
and that the two parts are made so that for assembly they need only
be snapped together. The bottle mouth itself is not relied on, the
two parts forming a self-contained dispensing valve. In spite of
this great simplicity, at the same time a valve is provided which
works on the sleeve valve principle, thus permitting the valve to
handle the viscous type of fluids previously indicated, in a
reliable manner.
This invention makes possible the production and merchandizing of
squeeze bottles in the great quantities demanded, containing
viscous products, and having dispensing valves which automatically
open and close when the bottles are squeezed and released. The need
for manually operated valve arrangements has been eliminated.
* * * * *